Our Trainees
 ''I would rate the CELTA course at BKC as excellent. It's very intensive involving mostly late nights (sometimes 1-2 am) preparing lessons and getting up really early to prepare through the morning. The classes run from 12- 8 (including teaching practice itself) but you have to do a lot outside this time. You have to be prepared to take lots and lots of criticism. This is always constructive, but when you are working so hard and still being told what you are doing is wrong it is often depressing. Working hard will get you through all this but it will find people out who are not committed to trying to teach well. All the hard parts (criticism, preparation time) have been worth a lot in my first two months in a full time job here at BKC. All the criticism was actually invaluable advice.
The course is hard for this reason. The trainers are great even though I offer warning to any prospective CELTA trainees.
Moscow in January was really cold, but still a fascinating city (it is my first time and I am learning Russian from scratch). The school generally organizes good places to live (by moscow standards - my flat is in a big tower block but is warm and comfortable). Moscow has got loads of job opportunities. A CELTA Certificate means you would almost always find something. If you also have previous teaching experience and a decent CV you would definitely find something. BKC generally recruit from the CELTA programme but this is no guarantee. They do have loads of schools in Moscow so they always need new people.
I' d recommend BKC. You 'd have to make up your own mind about Moscow.
It is not dangerous if you are careful, but it is very different about Moscow. It is not dangerous if you are careful, but it is very different in ways I am still finding out. In winter it gets to - 15 and is stupidly cold but that is part of the fun if you are an intrepid type. The students we teach are all really friendly and that gives you contact with Russian people. There are loads of (safe) bars and clubs to go out to and the metro system is excellent.
If this helps you make the decision to come to BKC Moscow I look forward to saying hello''
Good luck.
Richard Weaver - CELTA Course, January 2001
|
